Mobile scent tester

ABSTRACT

A self-contained mobile apparatus which replicates the evaluation of scents, fragrances, aromas and odors in controlled and home environments. The apparatus simulates various stages of the consumer experience and has adjustable settings for dosing, air flow, and room size. The scented compound sample is placed within a cabinet having an enclosed sample chamber which is connected to an upward facing sample tube. An air fan is mounted within the sample chamber which circulates and controls sample air flow upward to a testing station wherein the sample air flow is tested for the identification and the concentration of the scent contained therein. A return air chamber and filter are mounted below the testing station. The filtered return air is controlled downward by a return air blower to provide an exhaust out through the bottom of the apparatus.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for use in the testing of individual compound test samples for identification, concentration and consumer appeal of the scent contained therein. The present invention can be used to analyze scents, fragrances, aromas and odors in controlled and home environments. The scent tester is mounted on casters so that it can be easily transported to different indoor and outdoor locations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Scented compounds are common within nature, the consumer, the commercial and the industrial markets. It is essential that scented compounds be tested so as to identify the scent; its character, profile, intensity and strength. It is necessary that the scent be tested so that it can be modified to be more pleasing to the user when it is contained within consumer products such as perfumes, air fresheners, candles, colognes, shampoos, lotions, soaps, detergents, cosmetics, paints, insecticides, etc. Heretofore, scent testing has been conducted by relying upon a tester, either an individual or a group of panelists, entering an expensive, thoroughly cleaned and sealed test room to subjectively smell a single test sample such as a candle, aerosol, cream, or powder in a container such as a beaker, bottle, or box, etc. The prior practice testing was not objective or scientific because it depended solely upon the subjective smelling of a scented sample compound by the tester. The present invention has a broader scope adding to the prior practice.

A disadvantage of the prior practice was that the air flows to and from the test sample were not precisely controlled within the test room. Thus there were not uniform test conditions which could adversely affect the test results. The present invention eliminates such adverse potential in that the air flows are precisely and uniformly set for each test sample which provides scientific reliability of the test results. A further disadvantage of the prior practice was that the expensive test room was limited to the testing of a single test compound sample at one time, because the test room had to be thoroughly cleaned in a time-consuming and expensive procedure after each sample was tested and before a different sample could be tested. This involved the possibility of contamination from remnants of the previous sample. The present invention effectively eliminates the possibility of cross contamination because the air flows from each sample are completely contained, isolated and effectively filtered before those air flows are exhausted into the test room. This permits multiple apparatus and testing of different samples to be operated at the same time within a test room.

The present invention provides an apparatus using standardized test samples, adjustable and controlled air flows under uniform testing conditions to make the testing more objective and scientific, while, at the same time, reducing testing costs by the ability to use the apparatus in different and more convenient locations.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art and from the following drawings and descriptions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The mobile scent tester of the present invention is depicted in the following drawings which form a part of this disclosure, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the mobile scent tester of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the mobile scent tester with the cabinet door open;

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the mobile scent tester along line A-A′ of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front sectional view of the mobile scent tester along line B-B′ of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the top of the scent tester of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the above drawings by numerals and letters of reference, the preferred embodiment of the mobile scent tester of the present invention is generally shown as 1. The scent tester 1 is fabricated of non-absorbing stainless steel in the form of a cabinet 2 which has a rectangular front door 3. After twisting the door lock 45 which unlocks the cabinet front door 3, there is shown a rectangular security shield 4 to protect the operating mechanisms within the cabinet 2. At the center front portion of the security shield 4 is a circular, side-hinged sample chamber door 5 which, when closed, is tightly air-sealed with a peripheral gasket 6 and by a sample chamber door lock 7. The sample chamber door 5 also has bolts 47 therein further securing a generally circular door insert 8 to which may be internally attached a variety of electric modular units for conducting test applications according to protocols developed for a specific sample. After unbolting and placing the circular insert 8 which is relevant to the application in question, the tester places a standardized test sample through the sample chamber door 5 opening into a cylindrical sample test chamber 40 The sample chamber door 5 is then closed. An upwardly extending air sample tube 9 is connected at its lower end to the top of the sample test chamber 40. The air sample tube 9 exits at its upper end to a sample tube air exit 10 passing through to a testing station, generally designated as 50, at the top of the cabinet 2. The sample tube air exit 10 is normally closed by a swivel cover 11. A sample air fan 45 is mounted within the sample chamber 40 to circulate sample air flow 30 in the range of 0-3 cfm, preferably 2.0 cfm, upward from within the sample test chamber 40, through the air sample tube 9 and thence out through the sample air exit 10 to the testing station 50 at the top of the cabinet 2 after the swivel cover 11 has been opened, and thence to the testing station 50 at the top of the cabinet 2. The sample air flow 30 provides positive air flow at the sample air exit 10 which is partially enclosed within a bloom guard 12 in the form of a partial semi-circular ring around the sample tube air exit 10. The bloom guard 12 has a preferred shape higher in the area away from the tester at the front of the cabinet 2 and tapering down towards the rear of the cabinet 2 within the area directly in front of the tester. The bloom guard 12 has a height of about 5.5 inches at the front, tapering down at 20 degrees to about 2.25 inches at each end in the rear. The open area in the rear is about 130 degrees. The bloom guard 12 helps to minimize the loss of sample air flow 30 into the test area while maximizing the ease of he tester analyzing the sample air flow 30. The sample air flow 30 is then smell-tested by the tester who is recruited with a highly developed natural olfactory talent augmented by extensive training, or by a panel of average consumer testers.

In addition, the mobile scent tester of the present invention can be adapted for more scientific testing by connecting the testing station 50 to test instruments such as spectrophotometer, pH meter, electronic sensors, etc The scientific testing equipment can be connected to electric receptacles 38. 39 mounted on a side of the cabinet 2 from power cord 18. After the sample air flow 30 has been tested, return air flow 31 is sucked from the testing station 50 and is moved downward through return air inlet perforations 61 within the testing station 50 into a return air chamber 22 mounted below the testing station 50. The return air chamber 22 encloses a filter cartridge 24 With activated carbon pellets 25 therein, preferably 4 mm size. Thence, the filtered return air flow 31 is moved downward at a range of about 0-70 cfm, preferably 40 cfm, by a return air blower 21 mounted within a return air tube 26 attached at the bottom of the return air chamber 22, and thence out through a return air exhaust 27 at the bottom of the cabinet 2. The return air flow 31 is effectively filtered or scrubbed of all of the scent therein. The return air flow 31 is exhausted out into the location of the scent tester 1 without changing the quality of the air at the testing station 50 or adversely influencing the tests thereon. This permits the simultaneous operation of multiple units of the present invention being used at the same time on different samples in a test room. The sample air flow 30 can be precisely controlled within a range of 0-3 cfm, preferably 2.0 cfm, and the return air flow 31 can also be precisely controlled within a range of 0-70 cfm, preferably 40 cfm, by monitoring the speed indicators 19,20 and by adjusting the speeds of the sample air fan 45 and the return air blower 21, with the fan speed adjustment knobs 36, 37 mounted on a side of the cabinet 2. In addition a velocimeter 60 may be mounted at the rear of the testing station 50 to further monitor the sample air flow 30 within the desired range.

Additionally, the mobile scent tester 1 can be provided with lockable casters 32,33,34 and 35 at the corners on the bottom of the cabinet 2 so that the cabinet 2 can be easily transported within the test room or different test locations

The scent tester 1 can be further provided with a removable small sample chamber 28 in the form of a tubular elbow which has an air opening 29 at its lower end within the sample test chamber 40. The upper end of the small sample chamber 28 is removeably attached to the bottom of the sample air tube 9. This allows the scent tester 1 to be used for smaller and non-standard test samples.

The use of the scent tester apparatus 1 of the present invention enables the tester to more objectively and scientifically test for identity and concentration of scents than with the prior practice.

The circulation of the sample air flow 30 and the return air flow 31 are tightly controlled by the speeds of the sample air fan 45 and the return air blower 21 so that positive pressure at the sample tube air exit 10 is uniform which assists the operator to make more accurate objective and scientific tests of the standardized test samples. The test information can then be used to confidently confirm or modify the test sample scent for commercial, industrial and consumer use.

The scent tester 1 is fabricated of non-absorbing materials, preferably stainless steel, but other non-polluting and non-dissolving materials may also be used, such as porcelain coated metal, ceramic, plastic, etc.

Method of Operation

The supplier of the mobile scent tester 1 has developed detailed protocols for testing, operation, maintenance and cleaning. The material protocols require: that the mobile scent tester 1 be operated within a clean environment to avoid contamination by other scents. Additionally the scent tester 1 must be thoroughly maintained for optimum operation. All moving parts must be lubricated with non-smelling materials. This can be accomplished by using a clean cloth wet with distilled water and isopropyl alcohol on all surfaces.

For optimum operation, the scented compound samples are prepared in standardized sizes and containers in accordance with the protocols. The tester must be certified by the supplier in its operation based on the protocols and instructions.

The tester places the compound scent sample of the standardized amount directly or within the standardized container The standardized sample and container is placed within the applicable test chamber 28, 40, which is then air sealed by closing the sample hamber door 5. The tester turns on the sample air fan 45 and the return air blower 21 and smell-tests the sample air flow 30 at the inspection station 50. The tester compares his smell tests with his experience and with reference samples of other sample scented compounds provided by the supplier. Additional smell-tests can be made with the speeds of the sample air fan 45 and the return fan blower 21 adjusted by the speed adjustment knobs 36,37 so that the positive sample air flow 30 at the inspection station is preferably about about 2.0 cfm.

The operation of the scent tester 1 is monitored by function indicator lights 42 mounted on a side of the scent tester 1. The operation of the scent tester 1 can be further monitored by the tester using a video screen and camera 14 mounted on a bracket 15 attached to the front top of the cabinet 2 in order to display concepts, facial expressions of the tester, commercials, etc. and to provide direct data entry capability.

Additional monitoring of the sample air flow 30 and the return air flow 31 can be accomplished by the operator monitoring fan speed indicator lights 36, 37 for use with fan speed adjustment knobs 19, 20.

The mobile scent tester of the present invention has been defined by the above disclosure, but it should be understood that this is by way of illustration only and that the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Modifications and variations will be apparent as those skilled in the art will readily understand. Accordingly, such modifications and variations of the disclosed present invention are considered to be within the purview and scope of the disclosure and the following claims: 

1. A self-contained mobile apparatus which replicates the evaluation and testing of scents, fragrances, aromas and odors in controlled and home environments for objectively and scientifically analyzing the identity, composition, profiling and preferences of consumers for scents contained within a standardized test sample, which comprises: a cabinet having a security shield within its front to enclose and protect the operating mechanisms therein; a sample test chamber to receive the test sample is enclosed within the cabinet and is extended upward through a sample air tube mounted through the top of the sample test chamber so that sample air flow from within the test chamber is circulated upward by a sample air fan mounted within the sample test chamber, which sample air flow moves through the sample air tube and out a sample air exit mounted through the top of the cabinet; a testing station forming part of the top of the cabinet and encircling the sample air exit to receive positive sample air flow from the top of the sample air exit, and with a bloom guard partially encircling the front of the sample air exit to enclose and direct the sample air flow towards the operator at the rear of the cabinet, who performs tests thereon for identity, concentration and acceptance of the scent within the sample air flow; a return air chamber connected below the testing station which receives return air flow through perforations within the testing station; a filter cartridge enclosed within the return air chamber for scrubbing and filtering the return air flow and directing it downward; and a return air blower mounted within the return air tube which suctions the return air flow down from the testing station, through the return air chamber and filter cartridge, thence out through a return air exhaust mounted at the bottom of the return air tube and extending out through the bottom of the cabinet, so that the operation of the scent tester is not adversely influenced by filtered return air flow.
 2. The scent tester of claim 1, wherein the cabinet has lockable casters mounted on the bottom of the cabinet so as to ease transport of the scent tester within a test room and to different inside or outside locations.
 3. The scent tester of claim 1, which is fabricated of stainless steel or other material inert to scent so as to prevent contamination of the test sample and distortion of the testing of the test sample.
 4. The scent tester of claim 1, wherein the uniform air flow at the testing station is closely controlled by the tester monitoring the sample air flow fan and the return air flow blower speed indicators and speed adjustment knobs to enable the tester to adjust and control the speed of the sample air fan and the speed of the return air blower
 5. The scent tester of claim 1, wherein the sample air flow is closely controlled in the range of 0-3, cfm, preferably 2.0 cfm.
 6. The scent tester of claim 1, wherein the return air flow is closely controlled in the range of 0-70 cfm, preferably 40 cfm.
 7. The scent tester of claim 1, wherein electrical power receptacles are mounted on the cabinet so that the tester can connect and energize test equipment for scientific testing of the test sample.
 8. The scent tester of claim 1, wherein the sample air exit is connected to scientific test equipment such as a spectrophotometer, a pH meter and electronic sensors in order to scientifically test the sample air flow.
 9. The scent tester of claim 1, wherein a small test chamber in the form of a tubular elbow is removeably connected to the bottom of the sample air tube and within the sample test chamber so as to receive smaller and non-standard test samples within the small test chamber.
 10. The scent tester of claim 1, wherein the operating systems are connected to function indicator lights to enable the tester to monitor the operation of the scent tester.
 11. The scent tester of claim 1, wherein the return air flows of multiple scent testers in a single test room are effectively filtered and scrubbed by their return air filter cartridges so that multiple scent testers can be simultaneously operated within the single test room without cross contamination of the sample air flows of each scent tester or adversely affecting the test results from each scent tester.
 12. The scent tester of claim 1, wherein the return air filter cartridge contains activated carbon pellets of about 4 mm. 